African-American Heritage Sites

Maryland is proud of its local ties to African-American history on the national stage. Many of our country’s greatest African-American leaders lived here and fought for freedom, helped advance social equality, brought forth new inventions and enriched our lives with their creative talents. In Maryland you can walk in Harriet Tubman’s steps along the Underground Railroad, trace the accomplishments of Frederick Douglass, visit the headquarters of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization or groove to the timeless sounds of Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday and Eubie Blake.

The attractions listed below are only a sampling of Maryland’s numerous African-American heritage sites. A comprehensive list may be found in Maryland’s African-American Heritage Guide. Additionally, the Maryland Office of Tourism distributes a brochure titled Network to Freedom listing sites in Maryland with verifiable connections to the Underground Railroad.

For these publications or more information about any aspect of travel in Maryland, the public may call 800-719-5900 or visit the state’s tourism web site, www.visitmaryland.org.

Central Maryland

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Banneker-Douglass Museum 84 Franklin StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401410-216-6180www.bdmuseum.comHoused in the former Methodist Episcopal Church, the Banneker-Douglass Museum is the official repository of African-American history and culture for Maryland. The museum annually sponsors and hosts a variety of preservation, arts and cultural lectures, workshops, performances, and other programs.

Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center “Twin Oaks” 3200 Wayman AvenueHighland Beach, MD 21403410-267-6960www.boojwa.com/museums/fred_doug.htmlOriginally built in 1895 as a summer cottage for Frederick Douglass, the center now serves as a memorial dedicated to preserving and displaying exhibitions related to his family and the history of the Highland Beach community. Highland Beach is the first charted African-American township in the state of Maryland and America’s oldest black resort community.

Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial Annapolis City DockAnnapolis, MD 21401www.kintehaley.orgA life-size bronze statue of Alex Haley, author of Roots, is situated next to the site of the plaque honoring his ancestor Kunta Kinte, an enslaved African brought to Annapolis in 1767. The statue was designed by nationally acclaimed African-American sculptor Ed Dwight.

Thurgood Marshall Memorial Lawyer’s MallMaryland State HouseAnnapolis, MD 21401410-974-3400www.mdarchives.state.md.usThis memorial honors Thurgood Marshall, a Marylander and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. He served for 24 years. His most famous case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka 1954, ended racial segregation in American public schools.

Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Bond Street Wharf1417 Thames StreetBaltimore, MD 21231410-685-0295www.douglassmyers.orgThrough displays and events, experience Frederick Douglass’ early life as a caulker in a Baltimore shipyard. Learn about free-born African-American Isaac Myers who founded the Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company, the first African-American owned and operated shipyard.

National Great Blacks in Wax Museum 1601-03 E North AvenueBaltimore, MD 21213410-563-7809www.greatblacksinwax.orgThe nation’s first African-American history wax museum features more than 100 life-size wax figures posed in dramatic historical scenes.

NAACP Headquarters4805 Mount Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 410-358-8900 www.naacp.org Founded in 1905, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. It features the Henry Lee Moon Library and Civil Rights Archives and a memorial garden named for writer Dorothy Parker.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture 830 E Pratt StreetBaltimore, MD 21202410-263-1800www.africanamericanculture.orgThe largest African-American museum on the East Coast features a 2,000 seat theater, an oral history studio, classrooms and spacious exhibition space. It encompasses more than 350 years of Maryland African-American history with an exhibition gallery and permanent exhibits focusing on: family and community, labor, and arts and enlightenment.

Sports Legends at Camden Yards301 W Camden StreetBaltimore, MD 21201410-727-1539www.baberuthmuseum.comThis museum offers a comprehensive exhibit on the Negro League. Baltimore had two teams that were part of the Eastern Colored League (ECL), which was later replaced by the American Negro League (ANL): The Baltimore Elite Giants and the Baltimore Black Socks.

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum 300 Oella AvenueOella, MD 21228410-887-1087www.thefriendsofbanneker.org Developed in partnership between Baltimore County and the community, this 142-acre institution of cultural and natural history features a living-history colonial farm, artifacts and changing gallery exhibits. Banneker, a Maryland native, was a self-educated astronomer and known as the first African-American man of science.

Oblate House 701 Gun RoadCatonsville, MD 21227410-242-8500Tour the building that was originally a school run by four Haitian women. In 1831, they took their vows and became the first Roman Catholic congregation of African-American nuns, named the Oblate Sisters of Providence by Pope Gregory XVI.For more information click here

Howard County Center of African-American Culture Research Library Library Building, Room 22010901 Little Patuxent ParkwayColumbia, Maryland 21044410-772-4002www.hccaacres.orgLocated on the campus of Howard Community College, the research library includes more than 12,000 items in collections of fiction, non-fiction, Howard County/Maryland, Underground Railroad, reference and periodicals as they pertain to African-American history and culture.

Eastern Shore

DORCHESTER COUNTY

Bazel Church Bestpitch Ferry Road, South of Greenbriar RoadCambridge, MD 21613www.tourdorchester.orgVisit the small wooden church where Harriet Tubman worshipped in the mid-1800s.

Bucktown Village Store 4303 Bucktown RoadCambridge, MD 21613410-901-9255www.tourdorchester.orgThis is the site where Tubman refused to help an overseer capture a runaway slave. The overseer threw a two-pound weight, injuring Tubman and leaving her in a coma for several days. She experienced seizures throughout the rest of her life. Starting at the store, take a historical tour of Harriet Tubman’s birthplace and the churches used as stops along the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman Birthplace Marker Greenbriar RoadCambridge, MD 21613www.tourdorchester.orgView the site where Harriet Tubman was born and raised. Travel to Greenbriar Swamp along the edge of the former Brodess field, where she began her escape to freedom.

Frederick Douglass Marker Matthewstown Road, near Tuckahoe River BridgeEaston, MD 21601www.tourtalbot.orgA marker honoring the memory of Frederick Douglass, a Maryland slave who later became a leader of the abolitionist movement, is placed at his birthplace on a farm that is now Trappers Creek.

Dorsey Chapel 10704 Brookland RoadGlenn Dale, MD 20769301-352-5544www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/dorsey_intro.htmlConstructed in 1900 and restored in 1996, this rural African-American church was the religious and social center of the Brookland black farming community for more than 70 years. It contains the original pews and pulpit.

Northhampton Plantation Slave Quarters Archeological Site Lake Arbor Community100700 Lake Overlook DriveMitchellville, MD 20721301-627-1286www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/northampton_intro.htmlThis site features rebuilt foundations of two 19th-century slave quarters from the remains of an old tobacco plantation and includes interpretive signage to guide visitors.

Southern Maryland

CHARLES COUNTY

African-American Heritage Society Museum 7485 Crain HighwayLa Plata, MD 20646301-843-0371www.potomacheritage.org/pathfind/afri.aspView collections of artifacts, documents and photographs that span 350 years and depict the life and history of African Americans who lived in Charles County from 1658 to the present.

ST. MARY’S COUNTY

Sotterley Plantation 44300 Sotterley LaneHollywood, MD 20636301-373-2280www.sotterley.orgSotterley Plantation is a valuable resource that continues to set standards for excellence in museum education for the study of African-American history. Sotterley tells the story of real people who lived and worked at the plantation during its three centuries of history. Sotterley’s Slavery To Freedom program focuses on working with primary sources, participating in an archaeological dig, and touring an original slave cabin still standing on site. The history of the Kane family, who were enslaved at Sotterley during the 19th century, is highlighted throughout the program.

Western Maryland

ALLEGANY COUNTY

African-American Heritage Society 183 N Centre StreetCumberland, MD 21502301-777-7785www.mountaindiscoveries.com/stories/ss2002/africansociety_plain.htmlExplore the African-American history and culture of Western Maryland through the society’s exhibits. Relax at the cozy Café 7, a perfect corner of the museum in which to sip a warm cup of coffee while browsing through African-American inspired magazines.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Doleman Black History Museum 540 N Locust StreetHagerstown, MD 21740301-739-8185www.marylandmemories.org/african_american.htmlThe museum offers a complete history of African Americans in Washington County through artifacts and books. Also included in the collection are dolls, souvenir buttons and World War II memorabilia.